Sex Supplements Contain Cialis and Viagra

They are advertised on the web and in retail stores as sex supplements, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the products contain hidden drugs.

The names are catchy – Nights to Remember, Cave Diver, Super Cheetah and Reload, but an FDA laboratory says it has identified the drug sildenafil in the products. That is the active ingredient in the sexual enhancement drug Viagra. Another product contained the drug tadalafil, which is the active ingredient in Cialis. Both drugs are prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction (ED).

Supplements are not allowed to contain prescription drugs.

The FDA also points out that the active ingredients are not even on the label so a consumer has no idea what they are actually buying. Sex supplements are not to be taken with other prescription drugs containing nitrates because of the risk of creating dangerously low blood pressure. Nitrates are taken by men with high cholesterol, heart disease and high blood pressure. Without disclosing the ingredients on the label a consumer would have no idea.

The FDA warns these drugs listed on their website should be thrown away. The agency has the option to recall drugs and last month, two sex supplements were removed from store shelves. Vicerex and Black Ant also contained sildenafil and tadalafil.

Consumers who may have experienced adverse events are asked to tell the FDA by filling out a MedWatch report which can be found on the FDA website. The FDA does not have jurisdiction over most supplements which can be frightening considering there is a growing trend of including prescription drugs and chemicals in dietary supplements and conventional foods. Often these products are called “all natural” and are sold from a variety of websites so it is truly up to the consumer to beware.